Cop says he dropped case against Kwame Kilpatrick ally

DETROIT (AP) -- A Detroit police officer says he was threatened into dropping misdemeanor trash violations in 2002 against a contractor who was close to then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Officer Michael Fountain says he was confronted in the courthouse by Bobby Ferguson and two members of Kilpatrick's security team. He says Ferguson told him, "Your family wouldn't like this."

Fountain testified Tuesday that he canceled the tickets and told the judge that he had made mistakes about the case. Ferguson had been ticketed for high weeds, broken-down vehicles and debris that attracted rats.

Ferguson, Kilpatrick and two other people are on trial on corruption charges. The government alleges that Kilpatrick repeatedly helped Ferguson get city business and they shared the spoils.